Work positioner



y 1949- 4 J. F. HARRISON I 2,469,644

WORK POSITIONER Filed June 5, 1945 8 sheets-Shea 1 May 10, 1949.

J. F. HARRISON WORK ROS ITIONER 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ril ed June 5, 1945 y 1949- J. F. HARRISON 2,469,644

WORK POS ITIONER Filed June 5, 1945 8 shets-sheet 3 .60 K I zo I I J. F. RRISON WORK TIONER May 0! 8 she jheet 4 Filed Jun, 19-45 J- F. HARRISON WORK POSITIONER May 10, 1 949.

8 Sheets-Shet 5 Filed June 5, 1945 .May 10, 1949. J. F. HARRISON WORK POS ITIONER 8 SheeEs-Sheet 6 Filed June 5, 1945 I J. F. HARRISON WORK POS ITIONER 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 Filed June 5, .1945

May 10, 1949. J. F. HARRISON WORK POS ITIONER 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filedv June 5, 1945 Patented May 10, 1949 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE WORK POSITION ER John F. Harrison, Springfield, Ohio, assignor of one-fourth to Carl F. Greiner, Springfield, Ohio Application June 5, 1945, Serial No. 597,675

6 Claims.

This invention is a novel improvement in work positioners, and the principal object thereof is to provide a positioner having a rotatable turntable mounted upon a subframe pivotally mounted adjacent one edge on a horizontal axis, said positioner having a second subframe horizontally pivoted on the same horizontal axis, with hydraulic means connecting the two subframes and connecting the base and lower subframe, whereby the subframes may be individually pivoted or tilted into various positions on said horizontal axis to bring the rotatable turn-table into any desired angularity with respect tothe base within the limits of the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a work positioner of the above type in which the pivot axis of the subframes is so positioned with respect to the turn-table that when the turntable is tilted into working position, the center of the load on the turn-table will be disposed substantially directly over and closely adjacent to the pivot axis, thus reducing strains on the parts of the positioner since the load in tilted position will not be placed in an increasingly overhung position with respect to the pivot axis as is the case in most conventional positioners now in general use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a work positioner in which the loading height of the table will be relatively lower than in positioners of the usual type wherein the pivot axis of the table intersects the vertical centerline of the table, my arrangement providing a machine in which the pivot axis is disposed at one side of the vertical centerline of the table permitting the use of aworm gear drive; and the low loading height in my arrangement eliminates the necessity of using elevated loading platforms or the necessity of placing the positioner into deep pits in order to achieve convenient loading height; and my arrangement permits the production of a positioner which is inherently portable and which can be moved around the plant as desired without entailing the expense of providing pits or elevated loading platforms.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a work positioner of the above type utilizing, however, only one tiltable subframe carrying the rotatable work table, but in which the parts are so arranged that the features above enumerated will nevertheless be realized or provided.

Other minor objects of the invention will be hereinafter set forth. I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate several practical embodiments thereof, to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protectionis desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of my novel positioner, involving the use of two independently actuated subframes for positioning the turn-table, which latter is shown in horizontal loading or unloading position, and the two subframes retracted with respect to thebase.

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the positioner shown in Fig. 1 with the turn-table, however, removed to more clearly show the underlying parts or members.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged transverse section on the line 33, Fig. i.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse section on the line 4-4, Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation similar to Fig. 1 but showing both subframes tilted through the same are, to bring the turn-table into inclined position.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation similar to Figures 1 and 5, but showing both subframes tilted through difierent arcs to bring the turn-table into substantially inverted position from that shown in Figure 1.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation, similar to Fig. 1, but showing a modified positioner in which one subframe only is utilized to pivot the turn-table.

Fig. 8 is a top plan view of the positioner shown in Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a transverse section on the line.9-9, Fig. 8.

As shown, my novel work positioner comprises frame members I, preferably formed of channel irons or the like, connected together at their corners in any desired manner to provide an open frame of general rectangular shape, said frame having a cross member 2 extending between the sides intermediate the ends thereof. The side frames are also connected together by an inter- 40 mediate cross member 3, preferably a channel iron disposed parallel with but spaced from cross member 2. Other cross members or braces may also be provided, if desired.

Upon the side members of the frame, preferably above the cross member 3, are uprights 4 carrying on their upper ends brackets 5 carrying bearing housings B for stub shafts I (Fig. 4) journaled in roller bearings 8, whereby the shafts 1 will be freely rotatable in the housings 6, said shafts 1 extending outwardly from upper subframe 20 beyond the outer faces of the bearing housings 6, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The housings '6 at opposite sides of the frame I are in axial alignment to form the pivotal axis of a pair of subframes as clearly indicated in Figs. 2 and 4. The lower subframe comprises parallel side beams 9 connected at their outer ends by a cross beam I0, and by a. second cross beam ll intermediate the ends of the side beams 9, said side beams being so spaced that the same, underlie the central portions of the projecting ends of the shaft sections 1, as shown in Fig. 2. Brackets I2 on the side beams 9 carry bearing housings |2a journaled; upon the shaft sections 1, whereby the lower subframe '9ll may be tilted on a horizontal axis on the shaft sections 1 from the position shown in Fig. 1 to the positions shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The lower subframe 9H; when in horizontal position shown in Fig. l is disposed at about half the height of tlf eshaft sections 1 above the frame I, as indicated. Bearing housings l2a carry roller bearings 12b similar to. bearings 8; and wear plates 120 are interposed on shaft sections 1 between the adjacent faces of bearing housings 6 and lZa.

On the outer sides of the side-beams 9 intermediate the cross beams In and ll are brackets I3, pivotally connected with the upper ends of pistons M by pins 15, said pistons I 4 operating in hydraulic cylinders l6 pivoted at its lower end, as at H, on lugs [8 carried by the cross member 2 of the frame 1, said cylinders It being positioned between the side members I of the frame, and'the side beams 9 of the lower subframe 9l I, as ind-icatedin Fig. 2, and said cylinders I6 being normally disposed in an inclined position with respect to the vertical, as shown in Figs. l-, 5 and 6, the cylinders I6 serving, when fluid; is admitted into the lower ends thereof below the pistons, the swing the lower subframe 9ll upwardly about the shaft sections as an axis,

Disposed above the lower subframe 9H is an upper subframe consisting of parallel side beams 28 having brackets 22 (Fig. 6). carrying u s. m n, hi h area q i edfihe ub shaftsl ro n ou war l h ou h e r v 1 n ha g ngs. 2. ndbea ine g n u s 6 pported by the uprights 4 on the main frame I. Washers or shims 22? (Fig. 4) are interposed n Shaft ect s. 1 be ween he adja nt ces of ub 2& n ea in m sin 12 T e te n s of i e.- beams. ,0 nv ree as at a and are connected together at the apex. Said beams 1 are s onne ted. o ether. a e the shaft sections 1 by a cross beam 2 I. The brackets e end abo he idebeems IQ. f heupp subframe 20 21 so tha t, the axis of shaft sec.- t s 1 W1 1 ormal r adi g sed ove e p e s bfr m v mhe at r. 5 9. normal. ho z n position shownin .Fig. l

' The upper subframe 20, 21. is likewise tiltahle y ean of h d uli lins ers- A s hq tfll upper subframe. is. provided. with brackets. 23 (Figs. 2 and 6,). secured tothe converging portions 2.0,a, of theside beamsjll, said bracketszs being pivotally connectedby, pins}; (Fig. 6) to piston rods 25 havingpistons housedin cylinders 26, the lower ends.oflcylindersjfi beingpivotally connected, as. at 21, to braekets 28 depending from or below. the lower subframe, 9,-,- -l .l, as shown in Fig. 6, brackets28. preferably depending from the cross member. lllfofv the lower subframe 9. Ill l l. Breferably the arrangement is such that when bothsub framesare in lowered or horizontal;positions, shown in Fig. 1, the axigof pins Hand 21 of cylinders lfi and 26. will be .disposedin substantial alignmentacross the frame of. thepositioner, and,the.. pivot pins l5 and.24 of the piston rods 1 I4 ,ancl 2,5I'Will also be, disposed n u tan i ali nme t How er, u ran emen f, ivot, pins. Qf. he. ylin er and Piston ods s o e ential. n lfi e. m may bedifferently arranged-as desired;

By the above construction the lower subframe 9--l-lmay be tilted by introducing fluid under Cir compression into the lower ends of cylinders l6 only to swing the lower subframe, carrying with it the upper subframe, as shown in Fig. 5, thus raising both subframes S --,l,l and 20-7-2; equal amounts, the cylinders 26- remaining inactivated. The pistons I4 of cylinders I6 will thereby raise the lower subframe 9-! l inclusive, and the upper subframe 20-2! which normally rests thereon may be brought to a, positionv substantiallyin.-.

yer-ted from that shown-in Fig. 1, that is maybe tipped beyond a vertical plane. Also, the sub frames obviously may. be. actuated in reverse order, ifdesired.

Within the converging portions ofthe side beams 20a of "the upper subframe is a stub shaft 30; preferably; welded to or other-wise secured in fixedposition in said. uppersubframe, saidshaft 30 having a reduced portion: 30a '(Fig, '3') extending above the tops of the subframe 20-21:. Upon the reduced portion dismounted the hub 34a of a turn-table 3!; of substantial diameter; said hub being preferably-mounted=on upper-andlower roller bearings lib- 3% so as to permit free rotationofturn-table 3J= on the fixed shaft 30,- the turn-table 3] 1 being preferably'retained; uponthe reduced portion-3pcofthe shaft 30;by'means of a remova-ble cap 34 (Fig.- 3') maintained in position onthe upperend of the shaft 30a bya cap bolt 35. The'turn-table 31, however, mayv be rotatably mountedin any other desired manner upon the stub shaft 30;

'In order to rotate turn-table 31, a bracket-'36 (Figs. 2 and 4) is provided on the cross beam 21 of the upper subframe 2,02I at the center here f,v a d: ck t. hav n rm a n a bearing housing 31, for a ,w.orm shaft i-lflgcarrying w rm. 39 h e n. a d. 4) ai m h t being. moun e in anti rict n a s 80,. s- )v f a p hiqnw liimain ain s aft fi' e n ax almo ement n housin Shaft fi arr ea on. neemt.bewndlmusine aeha n spr c e l v Qpn9 i e. '.sg1:qcket 1' F gs- 1 and?) o h s aft oi a motor m un d 11th? a lame f. henqsit qnen sai me 2. ng f a iab eslicediyn eQntrQHedbY. armo fiat H me and W eel. .3.01. helike. F she e..- by the moto ma adjus ed. o .v ariou sp eds..- A h n 44. ru si yer, he' r k tsfiflrl or. p r in o -ethnic. w rm ha til by r ptorv 42.. he axis. o worm haft. s. n. li nm nt, with the shaft sections 1, sothat.astheupper, lower or both subframes are swun the, diSlflDce between he. nte s I. n qeli s. 117 .1. wil em in u h z ee l,v Hen e; a. gearrai dri e. may if de: ired e substituteufor, the ha n and samcket drivev 4.IJ Hv for thewormshait 3.8..asthe shaft n e s, ma n nsiant As shown in Fig 4, the worm, 33, is disposed above the tops of the upper subframe 2 fl...2|, and s showa n l es-1L5, and hel1rnahl car ies a w gear. ine fixedly, s curedfio he nde e qfl he u n ah efil by, ans of. w ets 55 so, that the turn table 3; l'and'wormgear 45 will swingor pivotin unison. Worm gear 4 5-constantly meshes with worm 39in any pivoted position ofthe-subframefl- -z'la I In order to actuate the cylinders l6: and 26, I

provide a hydraulic oil pump 50 (Figs. 1 and 2) driven by a motor 5|, said oil pump and motor being mounted in one corner of the base frame l of the positioner; and pump 50 delivers oil through duct 52 under pressure to two valves indicated at 53-54 (Fig. 2), the valve 53 having ducts 55-55 leading to the cylinders 25 which actuate the upper subframe 202l, ducts 51-58 returning the oil to said valve 53, while the valve 54 is provided with oil ducts 59-436 leading to cylinders l5, and with ducts iiifi2 returning from the cylinders it which actuate the lower subframe 9-il. The cylinders it and 26 are double-acting, and are thus pressure controlled in both directions. Suction pipe 63 delivers oil from a sump 64 to the pump 58, while oil is returned from the valves 53 and 54 to sump ti by a pipe 55.

By the above construction, when the cylinders l6 are activated both subframes 5-4 l and 2il-2l are pivoted around the shaft sections 'l the same amount. When cylinders 26 only are activated, the upper subframe 2il2l only is pivoted around the shaft sections 1.

An important feature of my invention resides in the fact that when the turn-table 3| is in a tilted or working position, the center of the load on the turn-table will be normally disposed above the shaft sections i as shown in Fig. 5, that is, the load will be more closely centered above the table pivots than in conventional machines, due to the fact that center of the table approaches the pivot shafts l as the table is tilted from the horizontal position, thus reducing stresses in the parts comprising the support since the load will not be placed in increasingly overhung position with respect to the pivots l as is the case in most conventional positioners Another advantage in my positioner is that the loading height of the table is much lower than heretofore possible in positioners in which the table pivots on its center line with the pivot under the turn-table vertical bearings, as in conventional machines.

My positioner herein disclosed is extremely convenient to operate, and its use eliminates the necessity of providing elevated loading platforms, or the placing of the positioner in a deep pit to achieve convenient loading heights. My Inachine, therefore, is portable and can be moved around a plant as desired Without entailing the expense of providing various pits or platforms to receive same. The original installationv is therefore very economical, and the machine can be placed in buildings with low ceilings or crane clearances.

In the modification shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, a somewhat similar positioner is illustrated in which, however, the lower subframe shown at 9ll inclusive in Figs. 1-6, is omitted and hence the positioner in this modification is provided with a single subframe 20-2l only. The frame I is substantially identical with that shown in the preceding figures and similar parts bear the same reference numerals.

In this modification the subframe comprises side beams 20 converging at their outer ends as at 28c, and the stub shaft 30 is secured at the apex of the converging beams in the same manner described in connection with the preceding figures. However, the stub shaft 30 projects below the side beams 20 as indicated at 303:, Fig. 7, and normally rests upon a cross-beam 10 when the subframe is in horizontal position, the cross-beam 10 exshaft sections 1 in this modification are of less length than in the preceding figures by an amount equal to the width of the bearing housings I2 in Fig. 4. Preferably washers or shims 2212 are interposed between the adjacent facings of the hubs 22a and the bearing housings 6, as shown in Fig. 9.

The bracket 31 for worm shaft 38 carrying worm 39 is arranged in the same manner as in the preceding figures, the shaft 38 also carrying sprocket 49 for the chain 44 which also runs around sprocket 4| diven by the motor 42, the shaft sections 1 and the worm shaft 38 being disposed in axial alignment, and the turn-table 31 carrying the worm gear ring 45 meshing with worm 39 as in the preceding figures.

In this modification the subframe is pivoted by double acting cylinders 26, as in the preceding figures, the cylinders 26 having pistons carrying piston rods 25 connected at their upper ends as at 24 with brackets 23 extending from the side beams 25a of the subframe, as indicated in Fig. 7, while the lower ends of the cylinders 25 are pivoted as at H to lugs carried by the cross member 2 of the frame I in the same manner that the cylinders It in the preceding figures where so pivoted.

' The double acting cylinders 26 are actuated by fluid under pressure from pump through suitable valving, not shown, the pump being actuated by the motor 5 I. y

In this modification it is obvious that as the fiuid is admitted to the lower ends of the cylinders 25 when the subframe is in lowered or horizontal position, the pistons therein will be forced upwardly and the rods 25 will act upon brackets 23 to pivot the subframe about the shaft sections 1 as in the preceding figures. Since the worm gear 39 is coaxial with the shaft sections 1, the worm gear ring 45 will remain in mesh with worm 39 in any and all pivotal positions of the subframe. Obviously the tilting movement of the subframe in this modification is limited to the stroke of the double acting pistons 26; but aside from this limitation the same general advantages are obtained in this modification as in the preceding figures, i. e., as the turn-table 3|, carried by the subframe, is swung upwardly the load thereon will be increasingly moved more closely into position above or over the table pivots I so that the load will substantially overlie the pivots, thus reducing stresses in the parts of the positioner in supporting the load in such tilted position; and moreover, due to the low loading height of the turn-table 3|, it is not necessary to provide elevated loading platforms, or to place the positioner in deep pits to achieve convenient loading heights; and moreover, the positioner is inherently portable as it can be moved around from place to place.

I do not limit my invention to the exact forms shown in the drawings, for obviously changes may bemade therein within the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. A. work positioner comprising a base having a pair of spaced uprights carrying aligned bearings; a subframe carrying brackets at one end amines.

7 having hubs. journaledsaid; bearings; a. tl1mtable freely rotatably journaled in said subframe at the end' opposite the saidebeaninss, saidrtumtable carrying. a wormr ring gear;- a worm. lounnaled coaxially orq'sai-di bearings: andmesh-ing with said ring gear; means for rotating said worm; and means interposed: between and oonneetins the subframe and base fzor;pivqtingzandimaintainringthe subframe in. tilted position. thereon;

wherebythe loading height. of: the turnetable above the base will: be: maintained at: almininnimr 2. A work positioner comprising abase having a. pain of spaced; uprightscarryin-galigned; bear? ings; a subir-ame carrying vertically oifset brackets at one end having hubsijournaled; in: said bearings; a turn-table freely; rotatably. lourn'aled insaid subframe attheencltopposite thebearings; a. worm. ring. gear concentrically mounted.- 0121:5118 tum-table; a worm journaledz coaxially. of: and between said. bearings and meshing with; said ring gear; means for: rotating the worm; means interposed between and connecting: the; subf rame and, base for pivoting. and; maintaining the-subs frame in fi p si ionlthereon; andmjeans-for actuating, said pivoting means, whereby the loadin height; of the turn-table above: the-basezwlll be maintained at; a. minimum.

;.A. work ositioner comprising a. base; having apair of spaced'uprightsearrying; aligned bear.- ings; an upper subfra-me: carrying brackets: at one end having hubs journaledti-n; said-bearin s; a turn-table freely. rotatably. journaled: in. said subframe at. the I and opposite said. bearings said turnetable carrying awdrm rin v gear; a worm journaled coaxially of said bearings meshing with said: ring gear; means-r01: rotatin -the; worm; a lower. subfram-elhavingbracketssatrone endibunnaled in the said bearings; meansinterposed be? tween and connecting the; lower: subfname; and upper subf-ram-e for pivoting and. maintalmng the upper subframev in; adiustediangularity with respect tothe. lower. subframe; and means. inter.- pcscdi be we n and; connecting the lower, sub: frame and-base .for: pivoting.andmaintainin he lower subframe; in; adjusted; angularity; with, re,- spect' to, the base, whereby the; loading; hei t of; the turn tabl with. respect, to, base will be maintained at a minimum.

4. A work positioner-comprisingabase-having apair; f p ced, pr ghts carry n aligned bear.- ine z. n pper subframe.carryingvertical u off.- set brackets at one=endrhaving'hubsiournalediin said bearings; a turn-table freel rntataibly J'Qurs naledi in; aid subfram at: the; and: opposite; said bearings; a worm; ring gear; concentrically mounted. on the turnstable; a, worm; journaled coaxially. of and-b tweenz he bearings-1 andzmesh.- mg; with said, ring, gear; means; fo rotating; the worm; a lower subframe having. v rtically. nfiset brackets at one end-:journaled; in the bearings; means interposedbetween; and conn dtingr the lower-subframe and" uppe subframe; for; pivoting and maintaining theuppersubframa inyadiiusted angularity with respect to; the lower subframe; means interposed betweena and; noun-eating the lower subframe and base for: pivoting; and; mains taining the lowersubframe-in adjusted singularity with respect to the base; and. means, for; indirvidually actuating said piVoting-;means,;whe,rebythe loading heightof. theaturnetable: above the base will belmaintainedi ata minimum.

5. A work positioner comprising a baseihaving a, pair of spaced uprights carrying, alignedibeara 8 ingsg: am upper subframe carrying; vertically; offs set. brackets at one end: having hubs for stub shaftsv iournaled in said bearings; a. turn-table freely rotatably journaled. im said subframe at the ends opposite the bearings; a. worm carried by'a, shaft journaled in. a. second bracket carried by the subframe and in substantialz axial alignnientv with. said. stubshafts; a. worm. gear..- ring concentrically mounted on the turntable and meshing; with thesaid worm; means for: rotating.

theworm; alower subframe having verticallyofisetbrackets at one end carrying bearings johnnaled onthe stub-shafts; means connecting the lower. subframe and upper. subframe for pivotmg andsmaintaining; the upper subframe. in. adjusted angularity with; respecttothe lower sub frame; meansiconnecting the lowerrsubframe and base for pivoting and maintaining the lower subframe in adjusted angularity with respect to the I base; and means for individually; actuating said pivoting means, whereby the loading: height. of the. turn-table above, the base willbemaintained at. a minimum.

6. A work positioner comprising a base having a. pair of spacediuprights. carrying. aligned bearin s; an upper-subframe carrying, vertically off set. brackets at. oneend having, hubs for stub shafts journaled in, said bearings; a turntable freely rotatably. journaled on said. subframe. at the end opposite th bearings; a worm carried by. a shaft journaled. in, a. secondbracket carried, by the subirame and. in. substantial. axial alignment. with saidstub shaits; a worm gear ring. concentrically mounted on. the turn-table andrmeshing, with. the said worm;,means on the base-for rotatingthe. worm shaft; a lower subframe having vertically, offset brackets at one end carrying bearings journaled' on, the stub shafts between the, first mentioned bearings and hubs or; the upper subframe; means connecting the lower. subframe andupper subframe for pivoting and maintaining. the upper subframe in adjusted angularit-y with respect to. the lower subframe; means connecting the lower subframe and base for pivoting and maintaining the lower subframe inzacljusted' angularity. with respect to the base; and means for individually actuating. said pivot"- ing, means, whereby the loading height of, the turn-table above the base will be maintainedat a minimum.

JOHN'F. HARRISON.

REFERENGES CITED The. following referencesare of record in the file. of thispatent:

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